COLUMN: Jordan committed to new coach, making NBA work in Charlotte

By Richard Walker

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 08:16 PM.

CHARLOTTE – When Michael Jordan was a player for Wilmington Laney High School, the University of North Carolina, the Chicago Bulls or for Team USA, there was little doubting the culture he brought the basketball court.

Basically, it was win – or else.

As Jordan enters his seventh season with the Charlotte Bobcats – and fourth as majority owner – he’s confident new coach Mike Dunlap will bring that culture to his franchise. And he says he’s more committed than ever to owning the franchise for many years to come.

“I don’t anticipate getting out of this business,” Jordan said in an interview with a handful of local media that included the Gazette on Thursday. “My competitive nature makes me want to succeed. If people say I can’t do it, I find a way to do it. I didn’t get in the business just to try to get out. Granted, I want to turn this thing around as fast as possible. It’s obviously a process and I’m not running from it. I’m committed to being a part of this. I want to pass it down to my family members. I want to pass it to my kids.

“I want this to always be in Charlotte.”

Coming off a 7-59 season a year ago that set a dubious NBA record for worst winning percentage in league history, Jordan admits his patience with building the franchise has been challenged – but not changed.

CHARLOTTE – When Michael Jordan was a player for Wilmington Laney High School, the University of North Carolina, the Chicago Bulls or for Team USA, there was little doubting the culture he brought the basketball court.

Basically, it was win – or else.

As Jordan enters his seventh season with the Charlotte Bobcats – and fourth as majority owner – he’s confident new coach Mike Dunlap will bring that culture to his franchise. And he says he’s more committed than ever to owning the franchise for many years to come.

“I don’t anticipate getting out of this business,” Jordan said in an interview with a handful of local media that included the Gazette on Thursday. “My competitive nature makes me want to succeed. If people say I can’t do it, I find a way to do it. I didn’t get in the business just to try to get out. Granted, I want to turn this thing around as fast as possible. It’s obviously a process and I’m not running from it. I’m committed to being a part of this. I want to pass it down to my family members. I want to pass it to my kids.

“I want this to always be in Charlotte.”

Coming off a 7-59 season a year ago that set a dubious NBA record for worst winning percentage in league history, Jordan admits his patience with building the franchise has been challenged – but not changed.

“It’s very frustrating,” Jordan said.

But Jordan is confident his out-of-the-box choice to become new Bobcats’ coach, former St. John’s assistant Dunlap, can develop the team in ways that’ll end his frustration – and please the Bobcats’ fanbase.

“It may not be a star quality name, but it’s a value,” Jordan said of Dunlap, who has NCAA Division I and II coaching experience as well as overseas and NBA assistant coaching experience. “He builds good values. He builds good cultures. He fits my vision. His energy level and his passion are as strong as mine. I think he presents an attitude where either you buy in or you’re not a part of it. That’s where we are as an organization right now. If you want to be here, we want you to be here. If you don’t want to be here, then we don’t want to put you here.”

Don’t get the impression Jordan is going to give Dunlap a free pass to do whatever he wants, even as he’s supported his coach already this preseason when players complained about longer practices than they were accustomed to.

While Jordan was reluctant to establish a number for wins he expects this season – Las Vegas bookmakers have set the number at 19 1-2 – he was emphatic about the expectations he has relayed to his new coach.

“I didn’t put a number,” Jordan said. “But I did tell coach, ‘Look this is what I need to see. The way they play on November 1st, they should be better come February 1st. They shouldn’t be making the same mistakes. You should see improvement from a fundamental standpoint. The effort should be there from Day One. The dedication should be there from Day One. Obviously, because of the inexperience of our talent, they’re gonna make mistakes. But come February, if they’re making the same mistakes, evidently you’re not resonating with these kids.’”